Definition of substance abuse, addiction and adulthood. Various stages of addiction, how one can overcome addiction and substance abuse, substance abuse and addiction across adulthood years. Effect on the mental health of an individual support with research studies.

1. SUBSTANCE ABUSE
AND ADDICTION
DURING ADULTHOOD
LYDIA BETSY. M
2ND YEAR MSC HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
MOUNT CARMEL COLLEGE

2. INTRODUCTION
• People are most likely to begin abusing drugs including tobacco, alcohol, and illegal and
prescription drug during adolescence and young adulthood.
• By the time individuals reach their mid-twenties, many would have reduced the use of alcohol
and drugs.
• According to Johnson & others(2008), it was found that male young adults are more likely to
take drugs than their female counterparts.
• Older adults can increase the risks associated with consuming alcohol or other drugs.
• By the time they are seniors, almost 70 percent of high school students will have tried
alcohol, half will have taken an illegal drug, nearly 40 percent will have smoked a cigarette,
and more than 20 percent will have used a prescription drug for a nonmedical purpose.
• Different drugs affect the brain differently, but a common factor is that they all raise the level
of the chemical dopamine in brain circuits that control reward and pleasure.
• 1 in 4 Americans who first smoked, drank or used other drugs before age 18 has a substance
problem, compared to 1 in 25 Americans who first drank, smoked or used other drugs at age
21 or older.

3. CLASSIFICATION OF ADULTHOOD
• The transition from adolescence to adulthood that involves
experimentation and exploration.
• Ranging from 20yrs to 40yrs
EARLY
ADULTHOOD
• The developmental period that begins at approximately 40yrs of age
and extends to about 60yrs of age.
MIDDLE
ADULTHOOD
• The longest span of any period of human development. They face a
number of problems.
• Ranging from 60yrs to till death.
LATE ADULTHOOD

4. • Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on
Drug Use and Health, 2013.

5. WHAT IS ADDICTION?
Addiction is a behavior pattern
characterized by an
overwhelming involvement
with a drug and securing its
supply. Eg: Nicotine,
alcoholism.

6. CYCLE OF ADDICTION

8. WHAT IS SUBSTANCE ABUSE?
According to WHO “Substance
abuse refers to the harmful or
hazardous use of psychoactive
substances, including alcohol and
illicit drugs”. Psychoactive
substance use can lead to
dependence syndrome.

9. NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF SUBSTANCE
ABUSE

10. INCREASED RISK IN EARLY ADULTHOOD
YEARS
• Adults may turn to addictive substances:
1. When coping with the stresses of child rearing,.
2. Balancing a career with family.
3. Managing a household.

11. PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH
ALCOHOL
• Two problems are associated:
1. Binge drinking: Consumption of an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period of time.
• According to Schulenberg & others (2000), chronic binge drinking is more common among
college men and women and students living away from home.
• In a national survey of drinking patterns on 140 campuses, almost half of the binge drinkers
reported problems that included missing classes, physical injuries, troubles with police and
having unprotected sex.
• Higher level of alcohol use have been consistently linked to higher rates of sexual risk taking,
such as engaging in casual sex, sex without using contraception and sexual assaults (Lawyer
& others, 2010).
• In a National longitudinal study binge drinking by 19-22yrs old women increased from 28% in
1995 to 34% in 2007.

12. EFFECTS OF
BINGE
DRINKING

13. 2. Alcoholism: Alcoholism is a disorder that involves long term, repeated, uncontrolled,
compulsive and excessive use of alcoholic beverages and that impairs the drinker’s health and
social relationships.
• An estimated 50% to 60% of individuals who become alcoholics are believed to have genetic
predisposition for it.
• Studies also reveal that it is related to the environment factors which leads to alcoholism.
• A positive outcome and recovery from alcoholism are predicted by certain factors:
I. A strong negative experience related to drinking, such as serious medical emergency and
condition.
II. Finding a substitute dependency to compete with alcohol abuse, such as medication,
exercise or overeating.
III. Having new social supports.
IV. Joining an inspirational groups, such as religious organizations or alcoholics anonymous.

16. CIGARETTE SMOKING AND
NICOTINE
• Smoking is linked to 30% of cancer deaths, 21% heart diseases deaths and 82% of chronic
pulmonary disease deaths.
• In US, the prevalence of smoking in men has dropped from 42% in 1965 to 20.6% in 2007.
However, more than 50 million Americans still smoke cigarettes today.
• Nicotine, the active drug in cigarettes, is a stimulant that increases the smoker’s energy and
alertness, a pleasurable and reinforcing experience.
• Nicotine also stimulates neurotransmitters that have a calming or pain reducing effect.

17. INCREASED RISK IN MIDDLE AGE
YEARS
• New risks for addiction and substance abuse may emerge for individuals in middle age:
1. Financial pressures.
2. Divorce.
3. Empty nest.
4. Personal or family illness.
5. Economic and emotional stresses of caring for aging parents or the death of a parent or
other loved one.

18. INCREASED RISK OF LATE ADULTHOOD
YEARS
• Older adults face additional life challenges that can lead to problems with addictive
substances:
1. Retirement.
2. Sudden or chronic illness.
3. Loss of independent living.
4. Financial woes.
5. Need to care for aging parents or grandchildren or the deaths of family members or
friends.

19. SUBSTANCE USE AND ABUSE
• A National survey found that binge drinking declines through the late adulthood years.
Indeed, a majority of US adults 65 years and older completely abstain from alcohol.
• The belief is that substance abuse often goes undetected in older adults, and there is concern
about older adults who abuse not only illicit drugs but prescription drugs as well (Segal,
2007).
• The consequences of alcohol abuse are depression, inadequate nutrition, congestive heart
failure and frequent falls.
• Late onset alcoholism is the label used to describe the onset of alcohol after the age of 65yrs.
It is often related to loneliness, loss of a spouse or a disabling condition.
• One study revealed better physical and mental health and increased longevity in older adults
who drank moderately compared with those who drank heavily or did not drink at all.
• Moderate drinking benefits involve better physical and mental performance, being more
open to social contacts and being able to assert mastery over one’s life.

20. CONNECTION BETWEEN
MENTAL HEALTH AND
SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND
ADDICTION

21. MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE
ABUSE• Chronic use of some drugs can lead to both short- and long-term changes in the brain, which
can lead to mental health issues including paranoia, depression, anxiety, aggression,
hallucinations, and other problems.
• The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) reports that there is a “definite connection
between mental illness and the use of addictive substances” and that mental health disorder
patients are responsible for the consumption of:
38 percent of alcohol
44 percent of cocaine
40 percent of cigarettes
• In 2015, an estimated 43.4 million (17.9 percent) adults ages 18 and older experienced some
form of mental illness (other than a developmental or substance use disorder). Of these, 8.1
million had both a substance use disorder and another mental illness.

22. • Although substance use disorders commonly occur with other mental illnesses, it’s often
unclear whether one helped cause the other or if common underlying risk factors contribute
to both disorders.
• Drugs that can cause mental health problems: cocaine, inhalants, ketamine, kratom, LSD,
marijuana, MDMA, methamphetamine, PCP, prescription stimulants, steroids. (SAMHSA,
Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health,
2014 and 2015)
• Today, one in four deaths is attributable to alcohol, tobacco, and illicit or prescription drug
use.

23. TIPS TO HELP PREVENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE
UNDERSTAND
HOW
SUBSTANCE
ABUSE DEVELOPS
AVOID
TEMPTATION
AND PEER
PRESSURE
SEEK HELP FOR
MENTAL
ILLNESS
EXAMINE THE
RISK FACTORS
KEEP A WELL
BALANCED LIFE

24. CONCLUSION
• Substance abuse and addiction is very common during the young adulthood and late
adulthood years due to various reasons.
• It is very closely related to the mental health.
• Substance abuse and addiction affects the mental health of an individual and leads to various
mental illness.
• They can overcome when they take the appropriate treatment or receive good support from
friends circle or family.

25. REFERENCES
• National institute on drug abuse. (2014, July). Retrieved from
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-
addiction/addiction-health
• American Addiction center. (2014, March 18th). Retrieved from
http://americanaddictioncenters.org/blog/five-tips-help-prevent-substance-abuse/
• Katehakis A (2011, April 11th). The cycle of Addiction. Retrieved from
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sex-lies-trauma/201104/the-cycle-addiction
• World Health Organization (2002). Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/healthinfo/survey/ageingdefnolder/en/
• Adolescence and Adulthood. (2000) Retrieved from
http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/intropsych/pdf/chapter10.pdf